







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | |
| Do you remember the pub's name? | |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | |
| Girls, this is Diego. | |
| Hello my friend, how are you? | |
| No, we drain pasta with a grater. | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | |
| This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | |
| Hello, is that Cate? | |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | |
| Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | |
| Erm, she's the marketing manager at the company. | |
| My lovely wife always tells me how good your spring rolls are. | |
| Who the f*ck is that, what's the time? | |
| I think I deserve a kiss... | |